Drug turn in event sets record over last year

Published: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 3:08 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 3:08 p.m.

OCALA - On the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back event held April 30, officials nationwide accepted more than 376,593 pounds - or 188 tons - of unwanted and unused medications from 5,361 sites in 50 states.

In September 2010, when the initiative began, 242,000 pounds, or 121 tons, were collected nationwide.

A breakdown of the April numbers showed that in Florida residents turned in approximately 11,567 pounds of pills at 228 sites, which was 1,748 more pounds than recorded in September.

Locally, officials accepted about 300 pounds of pills at three locations in the April collection event.

<p>OCALA - On the Drug Enforcement Administration's National Prescription Drug Take Back event held April 30, officials nationwide accepted more than 376,593 pounds - or 188 tons - of unwanted and unused medications from 5,361 sites in 50 states.</p><p>In September 2010, when the initiative began, 242,000 pounds, or 121 tons, were collected nationwide.</p><p>A breakdown of the April numbers showed that in Florida residents turned in approximately 11,567 pounds of pills at 228 sites, which was 1,748 more pounds than recorded in September.</p><p>Locally, officials accepted about 300 pounds of pills at three locations in the April collection event.</p>